Godley & Creme - Frabjous Days | The Secret World Of Godley & Creme 1967-1969

In 1969, long before Godley & Creme, 10CC and even before Hotlegs, Kevin Godley and Lol Creme recorded a previously unreleased album for Marmalade Records under the name Frabjoy And Runcible Spoon.  Now, fifty-three years later, and without a couple of still missing songs, a reconstructed version of Frabjous Days has finally seen the light.  In addition to the seven songs from the “Marmalade Sessions” that comprise that album, this outstanding new release from Grapefruit Records contains six more tracks from those sessions and six more that were recorded between 1967 and 1969.  Before we get to the music here’s a quick rundown on why the album was never released before now.  In mid-1969 Giorgio Gomelsky, manager for The Rolling Stones and Yardbirds, signed the duo to his new label Marmalade, but after they released a single and a track on a label sampler (Godley also contributed backing vocals on a sampler track from future 10CC bandmate Graham Gouldman), Gomelsky took the money and ran and therefore the album was never released. 

When Gomelsky signed the duo he wanted them to be the British version of Simon and Garfunkel, and while there are some definite hints of that as you make your way through the album, there is a lot more to their sound as well as definite signs of where they would be headed.  The duo didn’t waste any time showing what they were capable of with their single.  While “I’m Beside Myself” is a really strong, largely acoustic, country/folk track that even has some banjo and pedal steel, “Animal Song” on the flipside is a gorgeous, laid-back tune that really showcases Godley’s vocals and has an almost orchestrated sound full of great harmonies.  The last song released by the duo before Gomelsky spent all the money and disappeared was the compilation track “To Fly Away”, a gorgeous tune with stunning vocals accompanied by acoustic guitar, organ and flute (the compilation also included Gouldman’s “The Late Mr. Late”, a catchy pop tune with some flute laden psychedelic vibes that featured Godley on backing vocals). 

Kicking off the tracks that would have comprised the ill-fated album is the album version of “I’m Beside Myself”, which is pretty close to the single, but a little less raw and more polished (a slightly different version of “To Fly Away”, titled “Fly Away”, also appears as an album version and was also released by their next band Hotlegs, who evolved into 10CC).  Next up is “Chaplin House”, a gorgeous, acoustic based psychedelic track with very captivating lyrics (a version by Dave Berry and backed by Kevin and Lol was released the following year).  They pick up the pace on the next song, “Cowboys and Indians”, a rocker with a bit of a late Sixties West Coast vibe (especially in the harmonies).  “It’s The Best Seaside In The World”, a bouncy pop tune with a bit of a psychedelic Beatles influence, was originally written and recorded in 1967, but sadly that version, along with the recording of a song “Bull In A China Shop” have disappeared.   The final two tracks that were to be on the album also ended up being re-recorded by Hotlegs.  “Take Me Back” is an epic track, starting as a hypnotic folk rocker highlighted by their vocal harmonies and acoustic guitar, then about halfway in it evolves into a bluesy rock tune before winding back down at the end, and “Today” is a psychedelic tinged ballad that to me has some faint hints of early Pink Floyd. 

Rounding out the release are a variety of bonus tracks recorded between 1967 and 1969.   First up are a couple of previously unreleased songs taken from an unreleased acetate that were written by Graham Gouldman and performed by Godley and Creme for possible inclusion on the album.  “Hot Sun” is a harder edged psychedelic rocker that is a bit different from their other songs (this song ended up being reworkded by 10CC as an instrumental called “Hot Sun Rock”), while “Virgin Soldiers” is a bit of a syrupy Sixties pop tune that is one of the weaker cuts here.  In early 1968 the duo released a single on CBS that was credited to a five piece known as Yellow Bellow Boom Room.  The story is that due to the fact they were still away at art college their manager created a fake band and had a fake press photo taken.   The single didn’t sell well, but the songs (both included here), “Seeing Things Green” and “Easy Life” are a couple of psychedelic pop gems.   The next tracks are also previously unreleased songs taken from an unreleased acetate, this one recorded in mid 1968.  While they sound like they were cheaply recorded, they are two very strong cuts that find them branching out a bit.  “One and One Make Love” is a really catchy pop tune, but with some nice horn arrangements, and “Over and Above My Head” is more of a soul song.  Closing out the release are two songs taken from a single that were recorded to promote a Manchester club called Blinkers.  “Hello Blinkers” is a catchy, upbeat dancy tune perfect for getting the night started, while “Goodnight Blinkers” is a more laid-back pop tune for winding down and heading home.  Rounded out with a twenty-eight page booklet full of photos, memorabilia and a very imformative essay, this is not only an absolute must have for 10CC / Godley & Creme fans, but for anyone who just appreciates good music.   

(Grapefruit)